"And how did he come to know Tung-yu?"
"I believe he met him in Canton," replied Rupert restlessly, "he had some adventure there--?"
"Connected with this ubiquitous fan?" asked Rodgers sharply.
"Yes. He promised to tell me the adventure to-day, but I had not seen him yet."
"Humph. He may come after all. I'll call on this gentleman. At the Bristol you say. Quite so," Rodgers took a note. "Now then Mr. Ainsleigh, tell me how you came to go up about the advertisement?"
Rupert related his father's dealings with Lo-Keong, and referred to the secret said to be connected with the fan. The detective heard him in silence, and appeared to be struck by his frankness. "I think it's one of the most complicated cases I ever had to do with, Mr. Ainsleigh, and will take a lot of searching into."
"I hope you don't suspect me?"
"Humph, the tie is, strangely enough, the rope used to strangle this woman, and you admit that it is yours. But Tung-yu saw you put it in your overcoat pocket, and he wanted the fan--"
"For five thousand pounds remember. Hwei was the one who threatened to gain the fan, by killing."
"Don't defend Tung-yu too much," said the detective dryly, "your position is not a pleasant one and--"